Tripura to set up National Park for Clouded Leopard

Agartala, May 11 (UNI) Union Forest and Environment Ministry has approved the proposal of Tripura Government to establish a national park for the clouded leopard in the Shipahijala Wildlife Sanctuary.

Talking to the media here today, State Forest Minister Jitendra Choudhury said the Centre had agreed to exclude 5.33 sq km area out of the 18.53 sq km Shipahijala Wildlife Sanctuary for the national park.

Mr Choudhury stated this would be the only national park for the clouded leopard in the country, adding that the state government would also set up separate breeding centres for three monkey species, including Spectacle Monkey, in the sanctuary.

There was also a proposal for setting up another national park for primate species, spread over 70 sq km area, in the Trishna Wildlife Sanctuary in South Tripura, he added.

Meanwhile, the Central Zoo Authority of India was examining the proposal for inclusion of more species like rhinoceros, elephant and some rare birds in the Roia, Gomati, Trishna and Shipahijala Wildlife Sanctuaries, Mr Choudhury informed.